Compatibility

Stories

My Problem

My home button on my iPhone 5 completely broke off. I was unable to use the device after.

My Fix

The repair went smoothly. It's truly amazing what can be accomplished when you have the right tools for the job. "ifixit" provided everything I needed to get the home button replaced and I did it in the comfort of my own home.

My Advice

My advice would be to get the right tools the first time and save yourself the hassle and frustration. Getting the job done right with no hiccups is key and very rewarding.

My Problem

home button fell off the iPhone

My Fix

It took about an hour and the phone is now like new.

My Advice

Be very careful with the 5 extremely small screws.

It might be simpler to not unscrew the 3 screws on the bottom part and not to separate the top part of the iPhone from the bottom. The top part could be placed face down and then secure the bottom part at about 75 degrees vertically. Then you would need to only remove the two very small screws securing the button and ribbon.

My Problem

My Fix

My Advice

My Problem

My iPhone battery life and charging were erratic and no amount of troubleshooting helped, also my Home button needed excessive pressure to function. I'm only 6 months from being eligible for a hardware upgrade and Apple wanted too much to repair, this was the most affordable option.

My Fix

I ordered the battery replacement kit which included all the tools needed to do the job. The kit arrived in 3 days which was great and I have no complaints about the price. Replaced the battery and home button ribbon cable in less than an hour, everything works, but when trying to separate the front frame from the back case I mistakenly lifted the glass off the front frame. Now there is a white fog over the entire display. I don't blame the iFixit guide, it was my mistake, one of the chances I took trying to do it myself. At least now the phone works even, if not perfect. Maybe my story will help others have better success. Knowing what I do now I would definitely do it again.

My Advice

Have a quiet place to work with no distractions and allow plenty of time.

1) I used a loop duct tape on the back of the phone to hold it down while lifting the glass. It was either that or you really need a second set of hands to hold it so you can control the amount of lifting force while using the suction cup and plastic pry tool.

2) Really focus on where the seam is between the frame and back case, don't get between the glass and frame like I did.

3) Other users have said not to do steps 6-9 on battery replacement, I didn't and it went very smooth. I also used a hair dryer to warm the battery and it does help to loosen the adhesive holding to it place.

4) When reinstalling the front frame, start at the top of the phone and pay special attention to the thin metal tabs on the top of the frame, they need to align into the back case to ensure a perfect fit or the glass won't lay flush on the top edge.

My Problem

Faulty home button or ribbon cable

My Fix

I have been using my iPhone with a faulty home button or ribbon cable for so long I can't remember. It came to the point a month ago where the button didn't work at all. So I had to assign the optional assistive touch button to access or close apps and that drove me insane. Enough is enough I finally threw in the towel and got online to see if there was a fix and sure enough iFixit popped up. I thought why the !&&* not. The video and step by step guide seemed simple enough and they even had the right tools. So I placed my order which arrived within a week. Not too bad. Following the video and step by step guide as I thought was easy enough and though the screws were so tiny having the right tools for the job made things quite easy. The only thing I think I did wrong was apply to much force when lifting the front panel off the backing case with the suction cup which came right off without needing to pry the two apart with the tools. Luckily I didn't damage anything. I replaced both the ribbon cable and the button as I wasn't sure which was faulty. Putting things back was fairly simple as well and my phone powered up without any issues. Freakin awesome. Thank you iFixit I am so happy.

My Advice

My advice is don't wait too long to fix your device. I had to use the assistive touch button for so long that now even though with the new home button in place, out of habit I still look for that damned assistive touch button.

My Problem

Nothing exciting. Dropped my phone in the toilet. Home button stopped working after it dried out in the rice. Decided I couldn't live with the assisted control button.

My Fix

The removal and installation of the home button ribbon cable itself was a breeze. Getting the case open was far more difficult than I thought it was going to be. The video you have does not show exactly how difficult it is. Once I used the suction cup to get the front panel open enough for the tool to go in all the clips let go and the front panel came off far quicker and with more force than I thought it could and the result was a torn digitizer cable. Now my phone does nothing, blank screen. I can connect it to iTunes and see it. But none of the buttons work on the phone and while it is connected to a power source it just keeps making the sound it does when you first connect it to a power source. I ordered the front panel. Hope that fixes it.

UPDATE: installed a new front panel assembly. Everything works great EXCEPT the home button...still. Still looking for a fix for my home button issue.

My Advice

My advice would be to grow a third hand so you can really secure the phone while opening it. My clips gave way far easier than expected resulting in the broken cable.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Minnesotans,

Right now, Minnesota has a chance to pass the first Fair Repair bill in the nation.
We have a chance to guarantee our right to repair electronics—like smartphones, computers, and even farm equipment.
We have a chance to help the environment and stand up for local repair jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out by manufacturers.

We've been working with local repair companies, non-profit refurbishers, and tech-savvy politicians to come up with a solution. And they've done just that — Minnesota is the first state to consider a Fair Repair Bill.

If you agree with us, find out who represents you in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Tell them you support the bipartisan Fair Repair Bill, HF 1048. Tell them that you believe repair
should be fair, affordable, and accessible.